St. Mary Church. December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent PO BOX 67 IRELAND, IN St Mary Church Precious Blood Church

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1 December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent St. Mary Church PO BOX 67 IRELAND, IN PHONE: (812) FA X : ( ) St Mary Church Rev. Gary Kaiser, Pastor, Ext. 23 gkaiser@evdio.org Rev. Pascal Nduka, Associate Pastor, Ext. 33 pnduka@evdio.org Deacon John Huether jhuether@evdio.org Dianne Gogel, Secretary, Ext. 21 dgogel@evdio.org Sherri Hartley, Secretary, Ext. 22 chartley@evdio.org Stan Heim, Property Manager, Ext. 36 sheim@evdio.org Lauren Emerson, Preschool Director, Ext. 40 lemerson@evdio.org Martha Schmitt, DRE, Ext. 45 mjschmitt@evdio.org Gregory DuPont, Music Director gdupont@evdio.org Charlene Sermersheim, Music Annette Witte, Cleaning Precious Blood Church Rev. Gary Kaiser, Pastor Office Ext. 128.Rectory...Ext. 650 Rev. Pascal Nduka, Associate Pastor Office...Ext. 137.Rectory...Ext. 650 Parish Contacts Bereavement Meals, Sherri Hartley Church Decorations, Janet Schitter Finance Council, Audrey Wehr Ireland K of C, Grand Knight, Craig Greulich Ireland K of C Building Rental Allen Reckelhoff Meals for New Moms,Karen Fromme Parish Nursing, Deb Brescher Parish Council, Tom Schrader Prayer Line, Martha Stenftenagel St. Anne s Society, President, Jill Peter St. John Bosco, Carly Knapp St. Mary s Mission Statement: St. Mary Church is a community of faith united in Eucharist and committed to seeking God through prayer; sharing our gifts of time, talent and treasure; providing formation and education for children and adults; responding to the needs of people by sharing our faith and resources. We are dedicated to living and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Website:

2 Weekend Masses at St. Mary Church: Saturday 5:00pm Sunday 7:00am, 9:00am, 10:30am Weekend Masses at Precious Blood Church Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 8:00am & 10:30am Weekday Masses at St. Mary Church Monday & Thursday at 7:30am Tuesday & Wednesday see revised schedule on page 4 Weekday Masses at Precious Blood Church Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8:00am Go to website for this week s Mass schedule (website: Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Mary Church Saturday 4:00-4:50pm; 1/2 hour before weekday Masses Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 1/2 hour before weekday Masses Anointing of the Sick: Available by request, especially before surgery and in case of emergencies. Sacrament of Baptism: Call the Parish Office regarding Baptism appointments. Sacrament of Marriage: Contact the parish office at least 6 months in advance. Marriage Preparation paperwork must be completed before the marriage can take place. Homebound Parishioners: Communion calls are made on Monday mornings to parishioner s homes. Call the parish office if you would like a visit from our Eucharistic Minister. Readings for the Week of December 22, 2013 Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24 Monday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 Tuesday: Morning: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67-79 Wednesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 or 1:18-25 Midnight: Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ti 3:4-7/Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14 Thursday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22 Friday: 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a and 2-8 Saturday: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2/Mt 2:13-18 Next Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14/Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15, Liturgical Publications Inc Mass Intentions Sat-Dec 21 5:00 pm The Wilfred Gehlhausen Family Sun-Dec 22 7:00 am Members of the Parish 9:00 am The Leo Heim Family 10:30 am Luke Mehringer Mon-Dec 23 7:30 am Clemens & Mary Katherine Goeppner Christmas Eve 4:00 pm Paul Stratman & Jason Meyer (Dec 24) 7:00 pm Herb Schwenk 12:00 am Lefty Stemle Christmas Day 7:00 am Mass for Flower Donors (Dec 25) 9:00 am Victor Jr & David Bohnenkamper Thurs-Dec 26 7:30 am Ralph & Joyce Knust Sat-Dec 28 5:00 pm Larry & Jayne Mehringer Sun-Dec 29 7:00 am Members of the Parish 9:00 am The Raymond Stenftenagel Family 10:30 am Dick & Alvina Leinenbach Family Happy Anniversary to the following parishioners who will be celebrating their 50+ Wedding Anniversaries in the month of December: Joe & Viola Wagner, Dec 26; Gerald & Mary Hudson, Dec 27; and Gilbert & Marilyn Voelkel, Dec 28. May God bless you on your special day. Congratulations!! Wedding Banns Luke Schnaus & Tara Sendelweck Pub I 2013 Irish Sweepstake Winner for December 15 Congratulations to our $ winner, Gavin Lichlyter. Please pick up your 2014 tickets and return as soon as possible. January 4: Teens Encounter Christ Christmas Dance in the gym at Precious Blood. Gather for Mass at 5:30pm followed by supper and dancing. For more info call Lindsey at or lindsaybarth92@gmail.com. 13: The Jasper D.O.I. Christmas party - new reservations and cancellations needed. Dues for 2014 may be paid that night. Call or We have been informed that the Schweinfurt Army Base in Germany will be closing in 2014, and they request that we do not send more coupons after December We will suspend our Coupon Project until further notice. The Schweinfurt community sends their appreciation for your overwhelming efforts and I want to thank you and our project director, Helen Vonderheide, for your generosity and loyal support of our military families. Happy Holidays, Becky Beckman, TRI-CAP RSVP 2 Bulletin deadline is Monday at 9:00am

3 Greetings: Christmas is a special time for us. It is a time to recognize the love and goodness of God; a time to know that Christ has come among us; a time to remember that God now shares the same joys and sorrows that we do; a time to rejoice in the hope of eternal life that Jesus brings to each of us. We pray that all of you have the opportunity to spend time with your loved ones and let them know you love them. Always know that we love you at our linked parishes of Precious Blood and St. Mary. As we reflect upon the new life Christ brought into our world, emotions of joy and gratitude well up within. We are so thankful to all who helped decorate our churches. They look beautiful. We ask all of you to take a few moments and reflect upon the Manger and the image of our Lord. May Christ bring peace into your lives through out Thank you for all the kindness, support, encouragement and generosity you have shown to our parish during the year. All of you certainly help make our parishes to be the vibrant parishes they are today. We hope that this Christmas will be the most joyous you have known. May the newborn Christ Child bless you, your families and your homes. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all, Fr. Gary and Fr. Pascal Catechist Corner The Twelve Days of Christmas refer to the eight days of the Christmas Octave from December 25 to New Year s Day, and the four additional days up to and including the eve of January 6, the traditional date of the Epiphany. The point is don t throw out the tree on December 26. The birth of the Savior can t be celebrated adequately in one day. Let the celebration continue through at least to the Feast of the Epiphany. The famous song about the 12 Days of Christmas was written in England as a catechism song for young Catholics in the days when it was illegal to practice or teach the Catholic Faith. It contains hidden meanings intended to help children remember lessons of faith. Instead of referring to an earthly suitor, the true love mentioned in the song really refers to God. The me who receives the presents is symbolic of every baptized person. There appears to be no conclusive historical evidence to prove the origin of this song. Nevertheless, the traditional association between the gifts mentioned in the song and various spiritual gifts is a fun way to turn a seemingly secular Christmas Carol into a valuable catechetical tool. So let s have fun with it! Partridge in a pear tree Jesus Christ, symbolized as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from helpless nestlings. Two turtle doves Old & New Testaments Three French hens Faith, hope, charity Four calling birds The Four Gospels Five Golden Rings The Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) Six geese a laying Six days of Creation Seven swans a swimming Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Eight maids a milking Eight Beatitudes Nine Ladies Dancing Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten Lords a leaping 10 Commandments Eleven pipers piping The 11 faithful disciples 12 drummers drumming 12 articles of the Apostles Creed May all of you have a Blessed Christmas Season!! Martha St. Mary Preschool - Registration for School Year The St. Mary Preschool teaching team invites you to register your child for the school year. Students eligible for the Year One, 3-4 year old class, must be potty-trained and be 3 years old by August 1, Classes for the Year One students will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11:00 or 12-3:00. Students eligible for the Year Two, 4-5 year-old class, must be 4 years old by August 1, Class sessions for the Year Two students will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8-11:00 or 12-3:00. St. Mary Preschool is offering an optional third day for Year Two students. This will be held on Friday mornings with a class limit of 15 students. Registration for Year One eligible parishioners will begin on Monday, January 13 at 9:00 A.M. by calling Registration for Year Two eligible parishioners will begin on Tuesday, January 14 at 9:00 A.M. by calling Public registration for all classes will be held on Monday, January 20 at 9:00 A.M. by calling For further information, please call Lauren Emerson at , ext. 40. St Mary Catholic Church, Ireland IN 3

4 This Week s Parish Events Sunday [12/22]: Children s Liturgy of the Word for grades 1 and 2 during the 9:00am Mass. No Sunday School - Classes will resume January 5 Monday [12/23]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Servants of the Holy Spirit at 7:00pm in the Library. K of C Meeting and 20/20 at 8:00pm. Tuesday - Christmas Eve [12/24]: Masses will be celebrated at 4:00pm, 7:00pm and 12:00am (midnight). Wednesday - Christmas Day [12/25]: Merry Christmas - Masses will be celebrated at 7:00am and 9:00am. Thursday [12/26]: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30am. Upcoming Parish Events Jan 12: St. Mary s Confirmation Jan 12: Ireland K of C Free Throw Contest Jan 13: Preschool sign up for Year 1 students (parishioners). Jan 14: Preschool sign up for Year 2 students (parishioners). Jan 25: Ireland K of C 20/20 Party. Contact Kevin Schnaus Feb 8 & 9: Ladies CRHP Feb 15-17: TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) here at St. Mary s. Applications can be found in the back of church March 1 & 2: Men s CRHP April 26 & 27: St. Mary s First Communion June 14-16: TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) here at St. Mary s. Applications can be found in the back of church. June 21: Ireland Knights of Columbus 50th Anniversary June 23-27: St. Mary Vacation Bible School Bosco The Bosco House will open again Wednesday, New Year s Day, from 8:00-10:00pm. If you would like to go on the Ski Trip on January 3 and have not signed up yet or need more information, please call Carley at We are accepting deposits to reserve your spot for Catholic Heart Work Camp, which will be from June 1-6, The deposit is $ This coming year, we will have 2 CRHP weekends: February 8 & 9, 2014 will be for the Women March 1 & 2, 2014 will be for the Men At any point, if you have questions or interest you can contact your St. Mary CRHP representatives: Stan Epple Rhonda Kellams Tara Sendelweck Phil Weisman The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass times for St. Mary and Precious Blood Churches. Precious Blood will have Mass on Christmas Eve at 5:00pm and 10:00pm and on Christmas Day at 9:00am. St. Mary will have Mass on Christmas Eve at 4:00pm, 7:00pm and 12:00am (Midnight Mass) and on Christmas Day at 7:00am and 9:00am. We will be needing lots of help: Sacristans, Servers, Lectors, Ushers and Extraordinary Ministers. If you know of a Mass you can help at, please call the office and volunteer. This will help us save time by not calling you. Sherri and Dianne Opportunity through December 2013 Making a Gift through an IRA Charitable Rollover Normally, a distribution from your IRA is taxed as ordinary income. However, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 included a provision for the IRA Charitable Rollover that allows you to make a charitable gift directly from your IRA while excluding the amount of that gift from your income for Individuals 70 1/2 or older, who are required to make an annual distribution from their IRA, may direct a gift to a qualified charity, such as our parish. Such qualified direct distributions to a charity from your IRA are not subject to income tax ($100,000 limit). Required minimum distributions that you wish to count as a charitable contribution should be sent directly to the charity before the end of 2013 to avoid any tax consequences of this income. 4

5 Liturgical Ministers for December 28 & 29 Servers: 5:00 pm Mitch Mehringer - Tanner Egbert 7:00 am Collin Bowlin - Connor Bowlin 9:00 am Kaleb Stenftenagel - Kyle Stenftenagel 10:30 am Grant Brescher - Zach Keusch Extraordinary Ministers: 5:00 pm Julie Hopf - Ruth Small - Betty Gehlhausen Marvin Schepers - Marlene Goeppner 7:00 am Annie Voelkel - Susan Oeding - Linda Ackerman Jenny Hayes - Linda Giesler 9:00 am Larry Goeppner - Brian Gehlhausen Annette Witte - Julie Truesdale - Stan Heim 10:30 am Beth Gentry - Lisa Gehlhausen - Linda Schmitt Diane Brescher - Diana Mehringer Lectors: 5:00 pm Ken Schnaus 7:00 am Doug Ackerman 9:00 am Jenny Clark 10:30 am Barb Leinenbach Lectors Website: (Year A) Ushers: 5:00 pm Greg Matheis - Don Nigg 7:00 am Jerry & Doris Stratman 9:00 am Danny Brescher - Pat Brescher 10:30 am P J & Jill Peter Liturgy of the Word: 9:00 am Amy Heim Sunday School: 9:00 am No Sunday School Thank You to all who have donated material, batting, thread, money and other supplies for the St. Anne s sewing room. Here is a list of items made in the last 6 years: 1371 blankets 738 surgery dolls 391 tote bags 43 bibs 27 pinafores 26 dolls 14 tag blankets 9 ornaments 9 coasters 6 pillows 5 pillow case dresses 1 table cloth Donations are always accepted and appreciated!! Batting in a roll, basic solid colored material, cut off ends of quilts or monetary donations. Bring your donations to the parish office. Catholic Social Teaching We are invited to see how the experience of those in the Christmas story is not unlike the experience of millions of refugees and displaced people in our world today, of children born into poverty, of the poor or unemployed in the U.S. who are losing their benefits, of those who are homeless, of those who are caught up in the events of war and terrorist acts. In U.S. culture we experience certain temptations to distort the central message of Christmas. What temptations do you experience most profoundly? How do these temptations effect you and your family? Reflection by: John Bucki, SJ, Education for Justice